Demon Slayer is a smash-hit fantasy action series where sword-slinging demon slayers risk their lives every day to face and destroy powerful demons for humanity's sake. These demon slayers don't often clash with other swordsmen, but the flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku, is always up for any challenge.
Bleach's Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya could be one such challenge. He is a Soul Reaper, and in a way, Soul Reapers and demon slayers are pretty similar, using advanced swordplay to protect humanity from monsters. In this hypothetical smackdown, however, Kyojuro would be facing his elemental opposite and would need every trick in his bag to have a chance at victory.
Kyojuro Rengoku, The Flame Hashira's Fiery Moves
Flashbacks and spinoff chapters of Demon Slatyer revealed Kyojuro Rengoku's early days, including his exploration of the world of Flame-Breathing. He studied this sword art as best he could, then began training to become a demon slayer, proving himself to be a real powerhouse. Before long, Rengoku earned the rank of Hashira, a master of the Flame-Breathing technique.
His battles during the events of the Mugen Train movie showcased exactly what he can do. To begin with, Rengoku mastered the fundamentals of swordsmanship, boasting incredible speed, reflexes, agility, strength and even sensory perception to find and slay demons. With all that at his disposal, Rengoku can take down scores of ordinary demons and his Flame-Breathing techniques are vital tools for fighting stronger foes. His Flame-Breathing style is aggressive and reckless, as befitting its element, and Rengoku can perform high-level moves such as Ninth Form: Rengoku and Fifth Form: Flame Tiger.
During his fight with the Upper Moon Three, Akaza, Rengoku demonstrated incredible grit and willpower, combined with his natural toughness to make him an incredibly tenacious fighter against any odds. Even on the brink of death, he found the resolve to hold Akaza in place and attempt to slice his head off with his bare blade. Not even Tanjiro and Inosuke had been pushed that far before.
Toshiro Hitsugaya, Captain Of Squad 10's Icy Moves
Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya came from humble origins, but even then, his potential was clear for all to see during a flashback. As a boy, Toshiro kept hearing an odd voice from afar, and one day, it manifested as a great ice dragon. By then, there was no denying Toshiro's destiny to become a Soul Reaper, and sure enough, he enrolled at the Shin'o Academy and earned his rank.
Toshiro Hitsugaya is the youngest Captain to ever serve in the Gotei 13 and is widely recognized as a child prodigy. Although Toshiro's experience is limited and his skills still need some honing, his incredible natural talent is clear, and even the veteran Shunsui Kyoraku estimated that Toshiro might actually surpass him someday, given the chance. Toshiro's swordsmanship is impeccable, especially for his age, and he will only get better as he gathers more experience.
While he is naturally very quick and agile, his endurance isn't terribly high. Hitsugaya's zanpakuto, or soul-cutting sword, is named Hyorinmaru, creating an ice dragon in its shikai form, and its bankai form, Daiguren Hyorinmaru, grants Toshiro ice wings for flight and a wide variety of enhanced ice-based powers. Toshiro can trap the enemy inside an ice prison and shatter it to deal damage, or freeze them in a massive cone of ice blossoms. His bare blade, meanwhile, can still be used in bankai mode, complete with an ice dragon to back him up. Should this ice be shattered, Toshiro can reform it if there is enough moisture in the air.
Kyojuro Rengoku Vs. Toshiro Hitsugaya - Who Wins?
Rengoku and Toshiro would likely begin their fight using their most basic moves to test each other in sporting combat. Kyojuro can certainly handle Toshiro at this level and has an advantage in sheer endurance and stamina -- as opposed to his younger and smaller opponent.
Should the two get more serious, Toshiro could activate his shikai, Hyorinmaru, and Rengoku could attack with Third Form: Blazing Universe. His attack might not literally make fire, but it does emulate flames, and Toshiro's shikai can't stand up to this. It would melt and shatter, leaving Toshiro to fall back with a flash step, faster than Kyojuro can pursue him. Toshiro could then activate his bankai, Daiguren Hyorinmaru, turning the tables.
Taking flight with his bankai, Toshiro could then fling a barrage of icicles at Kyojuro, forcing the Flame Hashira to defend himself with his Flame-Breathing moves. But this would just be a cover. Toshiro can get closer to Kyojuro in the middle of all this, stab him with his zanpakuto and perform Hail Flower Dragon, freezing Kyojuro completely at the point of contact. As the ice shatters, Kyojuro would with it, extinguishing the Flame Hashira and granting the Bleach captain victory.
